Ability Quote by Anonymous
“We proclaim human intelligence to be morally valuable per se because we are human. If we were birds, we would proclaim the ability to fly as morally valuable per se. If we were fish, we would proclaim the ability to live underwater as morally valuable per se. But apart from our obviously self-interested proclamations, there is nothing morally valuable per se about human intelligence.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that moral worth is not intrinsic to human intelligence but is a self‑centered bias; any species would value its own unique abilities similarly.
In simple terms: Human intelligence isn’t inherently moral; value is subjective.
Key Takeaway
Question our assumptions about moral worth.
Themes
ethics
anthropocentrism
bias
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- ethical debates
- philosophical discussions
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
moral relativism
speciesism
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria could give moral value beyond species‑specific traits?
- Is any attribute ever intrinsically valuable?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all moral valuations are equally arbitrary, ignoring universal ethical principles.
